M
MesaCougFanA few weeks ago my beautiful bride, myself and a couple of friends made the trek out to Notre Dame for BYU vs. Notre Dame. Living in Mesa I don't make it to many games home or away, but I never miss them on the TV. This was the third game that I attended in South Bend. It was the first for my wife and our friends. We arrived in Chicago early Friday morning and headed straight to Notre Dame to take in the sights and sounds of that magnificent campus, and it didn't dissappoint. We were extra excited to participate in the Friday night fireside (I must say that it was the highlight of our trip). We were so excited that we arrived at 5:00 pm to ensure that we had great seats. We were over zealous because when we arrived the only other people in the building were the RS / Primary women who were having what appeared to be a presidency meeting.
The meeting was very short, but it was impressive to hear the team showcasing their other talents. I felt like a little kid as I waited to meet, take pictures with and have my commemorative ball signed by Rudy, Taysom and Bronco (I told Bronco that win or lose, I think he's the best college football coach in America, and I mean that).
I was so proud of my new treasure! When I went to put the ball back in the box it came in I accidentally smudged some of the ink that hadn't dried, so when I arrived back at our hotel (Courtyard Marriott in Benton Harbor, MI) I was careful to remove it and let it dry on my desk in my room.
The game atmosphere at Notre Dame is unmatched. The home fans the most courteous and kind that I have ever met. It was a real pleasure to be at the stadium, and even though the temperature was 7 degrees with the wind chill (which felt like -50 degrees to a guy from Mesa) we were well prepared and didn't die.
On Sunday morning when I started packing, I went to put my ball with three pretty cool signatures away, but noticed that it now had a fourth signature. It read "Yolanda Orozco be Happy". Apparently my maid thought it would be appropriate to leave her "please give me a tip note on my ball!" Are you kidding me! I was furious!
I marched down to the front desk to summon an apology / credit for my room charges. The lady at the front desk was quite understanding and remorseful and she introduced me to the manager (Chris).
Him: "Ha, that's funny! I'm sure she didn't mean it."
Me: "What do you mean, she signed her name."
Him: "Well I'm sure she wasn't being malicious. We tell our staff that they should leave notes"
Me: "I'm sure she wasn't being malicious either, but that's not the point."
Him: "What do you want me to do about it? I can't replace it. I can try to magic erase it?"
Me: "Apparently you don't understand that this ball has significance to me and my trip here?"
Him: "Oh, I understand, I have an Autographed Joe Montana jersey hanging in my office at home."
What I should have said: "Well you invite Yolanda over, and have her put her mark right next to ole' Joe's and then take a snapshot and send it to me and we'll be all square!"
I walked away. Not an I'm sorry, not an "I'll comp your room", nothing!
I used to be pretty loyal to Marriott. I can assure you I won't be from now on.
I have the ball with three pretty cool signatures and Yolanda's, and I would guess that I'm the only Cougar fan that does. It makes a pretty entertaining story, and I can look back and smile, even though on that Sunday morning I wanted to burn the place down.
The meeting was very short, but it was impressive to hear the team showcasing their other talents. I felt like a little kid as I waited to meet, take pictures with and have my commemorative ball signed by Rudy, Taysom and Bronco (I told Bronco that win or lose, I think he's the best college football coach in America, and I mean that).
I was so proud of my new treasure! When I went to put the ball back in the box it came in I accidentally smudged some of the ink that hadn't dried, so when I arrived back at our hotel (Courtyard Marriott in Benton Harbor, MI) I was careful to remove it and let it dry on my desk in my room.
The game atmosphere at Notre Dame is unmatched. The home fans the most courteous and kind that I have ever met. It was a real pleasure to be at the stadium, and even though the temperature was 7 degrees with the wind chill (which felt like -50 degrees to a guy from Mesa) we were well prepared and didn't die.
On Sunday morning when I started packing, I went to put my ball with three pretty cool signatures away, but noticed that it now had a fourth signature. It read "Yolanda Orozco be Happy". Apparently my maid thought it would be appropriate to leave her "please give me a tip note on my ball!" Are you kidding me! I was furious!
I marched down to the front desk to summon an apology / credit for my room charges. The lady at the front desk was quite understanding and remorseful and she introduced me to the manager (Chris).
Him: "Ha, that's funny! I'm sure she didn't mean it."
Me: "What do you mean, she signed her name."
Him: "Well I'm sure she wasn't being malicious. We tell our staff that they should leave notes"
Me: "I'm sure she wasn't being malicious either, but that's not the point."
Him: "What do you want me to do about it? I can't replace it. I can try to magic erase it?"
Me: "Apparently you don't understand that this ball has significance to me and my trip here?"
Him: "Oh, I understand, I have an Autographed Joe Montana jersey hanging in my office at home."
What I should have said: "Well you invite Yolanda over, and have her put her mark right next to ole' Joe's and then take a snapshot and send it to me and we'll be all square!"
I walked away. Not an I'm sorry, not an "I'll comp your room", nothing!
I used to be pretty loyal to Marriott. I can assure you I won't be from now on.
I have the ball with three pretty cool signatures and Yolanda's, and I would guess that I'm the only Cougar fan that does. It makes a pretty entertaining story, and I can look back and smile, even though on that Sunday morning I wanted to burn the place down.